The pro-Israel crowd's "1967" hissyfit

By: Natasha Lennard   Source: Salon.com May 20, 2011 2 Comments

Category: Middle East, World Affairs Topics: Barack Obama Channel: Opinion Views: 3159
3159


AP Photo/Amr Nabil

President Barack Obama's lengthy speech on the Middle East Thursday displayed more soaring rhetoric than substance, as Salon's Justin Elliott noted. However, one line in particular has caused an unanticipated firestorm, drawing swift public criticism from Israel's leadership, its lobby and the GOP. Obama said:

"The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states."

The heated reactions did not seem to account for the president's use of the word "based"; in other words, he did not demand a return to the precise pre-1967 line, but stated that territories captured by Israel in the 1967 MidEast War should be a basis for negotiation.

Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu issued a swift rejection of Obama's remarks. He called the 1967 lines "indefensible." Netanyahu is heading to the White House Friday for what is now bound to be a tense meeting with Obama.

Although Obama's remarks have been read as a concession to Palestine, Hamas has already spoken out against the president since his speech. According to Ynet News, Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip, Sami Abu-Zuhri said:

"The (Arab) nation does not need a lesson on democracy from Obama... Rather, Obama is the one who needs the lesson given his absolute endorsement of Israel's crimes and his refusal to condemn Israel's occupation."

The Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, called an urgent session following the president's speech. P.A. president Mahmoud Abbas' spokesman issued a softer response than that of Hamas. "We respect the American decision to revive the peace process," he said, but stressed that the "American Administration must make sure that Israel bears the responsibility for the ongoing deterioration of the peace process."

This video from Reuters (via the Guardian) features mixed reactions from Israelis and Palestinians to Obama's speech. Notably, the Israelis spoken to highlight that most Israelis feel the Palestinian people should have their own state and better treatment:

Perhaps the strongest criticisms of Obama's remarks so far have come from the GOP, as POLITICO rounds up.

Mitt Romney: "President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus."

Michele Bachmann said Obama has "betrayed our friend and ally Israel."

And Tim Pawlenty said the president's 1967 comment "a very dangerous demand."

Of course, the most vitriolic reaction to Obama's speech came from Glenn Beck, who is planning a rally in Jerusalem this August. On his FOX News show last night, Beck said Obama's policy on Israel would lead to the destruction of the Western way of life:

Meanwhile, as the Wall Street Journal reports, some Jewish donors and fundraisers have warned Obama that he risks "losing financial support because of concerns about his handling of Israel."

With this in mind, as Justin Elliott notes, "it will certainly be interesting to compare Obama's rhetoric [yesterday] to his remarks before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Sunday."

Source: Salon - Natasha Lennard

  Category: Middle East, World Affairs
  Topics: Barack Obama  Channel: Opinion
Views: 3159

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Older Comments:
BABANDI A. GUMEL FROM U.K said:
This was the most fairest just statement ever made by any influential person since the beginning of this crisis which could bring immediate solution. If there is a will there is a way and this is the way out.Unfortunately as expected Prime Minister Netanyahu as usual rejected such fair solution.Imagine if Israel's land were grabbed by the Palestinians wont it be fair to return that land to them? It may look impossible but it is the best solution at least if we cannot go for the best we should go for the better.The Palestinians like other human beings need to have their own homes where they can live freely like any other human being not be treated like second class or living under a kind of aparthied system.
2011-05-21
KHAN FROM US said:

It is a very sad situation that Islamophobia/Muslimophobia is at
this level & is getting worse. The main cause is Ignorance,
fabricated and ill knowledge of Concept of God & the basics of Adam
& Abrahamic message from God, Prophets'practice & beliefs.

Quran 13:11 'Allah does not change what any people have until they
change what is in themselves.'
Psalm 34:14 - Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue
it.
Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called
the children of God.

The best examples are these Politicians & Media who ignore their
insight, ethics, morals& guidelines. They need some excuse for their
ratings and popularities. For indeed they propagate fabricated Islam
and Muslims and theories.

Please remember if we do not do Islah (self-Rectification)& Dawah
(clearing misconceptions/educating Non-Muslims), these will get
worse and we will be responsible for our own calamities and the
coming generations will be greatly affected.

May Allah guide us to understand the truth of Islam(whose founder is
Abraham).
Quran 16:123 "Follow the religion of Abraham, the true in faith, &
he was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God'.
Genesis 17:10 'this is my covenant with you & your descendants after
you, the covenant you are to keep:'
John 8:39 Jesus said "for if you are the children of Abraham, you
would follow his example.
2011-05-21